Measurement of coating’s elastic properties by mechanical methods. Part I: considerations on experimental errors

A critical analysis of some mechanical methods employed for measuring the elastic properties of coatings is presented. A rational basis for properly choosing test methods, transducers and layer thicknesses is provided. The analyzed methods, usually applied to relatively thick coatings, include four-point bending tests and the resonance technique. General relationships for the evaluation of coatings' elastic properties, derived from the multilayer beam and plate theories, are discussed. On the basis of the error propagation theory, for different combinations of materials and layer thicknesses, the influence of typical experimental errors, test setup parameters and material properties is analyzed, and sensitivity coefficients for relative errors are discussed. The critical experimental variables and their effect on measurement accuracy are highlighted, suggesting suitable conditions for selecting specimen geometry and testing conditions. A procedure for measurement at high temperature is outlined.